Quoted out of context: Saina

India’s ace woman shuttler Saina Nehwal insists that she respects every player in the world and that is well and truly reflected by the way she has played the game over the years and which was also responsible for her numerous titles.

“Blaming anyone is not my kind of nature. I always have the highest regard for any player, especially the seniors.

“Taufik (Hidayat) is a fantastic player and we are really enjoying great times — very relaxed and friendly — in the ongoing Indian Badminton League.

“Especially, his tips during the games were so useful for me since the players otherwise would be so focussed that they might not be able to spot the weaknesses ,” the London Olympics bronze medallist and Hyderabad Hotshots icon player remarked ahead of the final round of the IBL league matches starting here on Monday.

PVP Ventures, owners of the Hotshots, apparently decided to put an end to the controversy over the reported remarks by former Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat (also of Hyderabad Hotshots) that many Indian players got better deals in the IBL auction than the foreign players — and the subsequent reaction by Saina which sparked off critical comments from some players including G. Jwala.

Hidayat also said that he would be happy to be in the next IBL also.

“But, again it all depends on my boss (looking at Mr. Prasad),” he quipped with a big smile.

“The IBL concept is a very good one and should help lot of players.” — Special Correspondent